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A novel precipitate-strengthened Co–Cr–Ni medium-entropy alloy with a pure “FCC + L12” dual-phase structure is developed by adding a high concentration (6 at.%) of Al and Ti elements. After aging heat treatment at 700 °C for 4 h, the hierarchical L12 phases, composed of primary large-sized L12 phases (∼70 nm) and secondary L12 particles (∼14 nm), are achieved. The designed alloy featuring hierarchical L12 phases exhibits excellent strength-ductility combinations and strain-hardening ability, properties that are much improved over their counterparts with homogeneous dispersed L12 phases (∼13 nm) and without L12 phases. Especially, the yield strength (1320 MPa), ultimate tensile strength (1886 MPa), and average strain-hardening rate (5.15 GPa) are obtained in the alloy with hierarchical L12 precipitates deformed at cryogenic temperature. The Orowan bypass mechanism of the primary L12 phases, along with the shearing mechanism of the secondary L12 phases, collectively contributes to the exceptional strength of the alloy with hierarchical L12 precipitates. The penetration of dislocations and stacking faults (SFs) in the primary L12 phases, combined with hetero-deformation-induced (HDI) hardening attributed to these hierarchical L12 precipitates, may be a key factor in improving strain-hardening properties of the alloy.

Abstract The operation mode of UAV equipped with LiDAR can significantly reduce the efficiency and cost of highway terrain acquisition. At present, due to the complicated terrain and weak signal of mountain road, it is difficult to collect terrain data. In view of the above problems, this paper puts forward the technology of BDS assisted terrain acquisition and processing on complex mountain roads. This paper describes in detail the new signal unfuzzy acquisition and tracking algorithm and multi-antenna positioning and attitude determination technology and equipment of BDS-3 mountain highway, through millimeter wave Lidar altimetry technology, imitation ground flight, air-ground multi-source data combined with air three-direction method and other technologies. To realize efficient 3D collection and 3D reconstruction of massive original images of terrain of complex mountain traffic lines in the range of 100 km. Finally, a case study of 100 km mountain road is taken to verify the effectiveness of the method.

Heading date is a critical physiological process in rice that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The photoperiodic pathway is a primary regulatory mechanism for rice heading, with key florigen genes Hd3a (Heading date 3a) and RFT1 (RICE FLOWERING LOCUS T1) playing central roles. Upstream regulatory pathways, including Hd1 and Ehd1, also significantly impact this process. This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the localization, cloning, and functional roles of photoperiodic pathway-related genes in rice, and to explore the interactions among these genes as well as their pleiotropic effects on heading date. We systematically review recent advancements in the identification and functional analysis of genes involved in the photoperiodic pathway. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying rice heading date variation and highlight the intricate interactions between key regulatory genes. Significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms of heading date regulation through the cloning and functional analysis of photoperiod-regulating genes. However, the regulation of heading date remains complex, and many underlying mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated. This review consolidates current knowledge on the photoperiodic regulation of heading date in rice, emphasizing novel findings and gaps in the research. It highlights the need for further exploration of the interactions among flowering-related genes and their response to environmental signals. Despite advances, the full regulatory network of heading date remains unclear. Further research is needed to elucidate the intricate gene interactions, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, and the role of epigenetic factors such as histone methylation in flowering time regulation. This review provides a detailed overview of the current understanding of photoperiodic pathway genes in rice, setting the stage for future research to address existing gaps and improve our knowledge of rice flowering regulation.

Abstract Background Microbial anaerobic metabolism is a key driver of biogeochemical cycles, influencing ecosystem function and health of both natural and engineered environments. However, the temporal dynamics of the intricate interactions between microorganisms and the organic metabolites are still poorly understood. Leveraging metagenomic and metabolomic approaches, we unveiled the principles governing microbial metabolism during a 96-day anaerobic bioreactor experiment. Results During the turnover and assembly of metabolites, homogeneous selection was predominant, peaking at 84.05% on day 12. Consistent dynamic coordination between microbes and metabolites was observed regarding their composition and assembly processes. Our findings suggested that microbes drove deterministic metabolite turnover, leading to consistent molecular conversions across parallel reactors. Moreover, due to the more favorable thermodynamics of N-containing organic biotransformations, microbes preferentially carried out sequential degradations from N-containing to S-containing compounds. Similarly, the metabolic strategy of C18 lipid-like molecules could switch from synthesis to degradation due to nutrient exhaustion and thermodynamical disadvantage. This indicated that community biotransformation thermodynamics emerged as a key regulator of both catabolic and synthetic metabolisms, shaping metabolic strategy shifts at the community level. Furthermore, the co-occurrence network of microbes-metabolites was structured around microbial metabolic functions centered on methanogenesis, with CH4 as a network hub, connecting with 62.15% of total nodes as 1st and 2nd neighbors. Microbes aggregate molecules with different molecular traits and are modularized depending on their metabolic abilities. They established increasingly positive relationships with high-molecular-weight molecules, facilitating resource acquisition and energy utilization. This metabolic complementarity and substance exchange further underscored the cooperative nature of microbial interactions. Conclusions All results revealed three key rules governing microbial anaerobic degradation. These rules indicate that microbes adapt to environmental conditions according to their community-level metabolic trade-offs and synergistic metabolic functions, further driving the deterministic dynamics of molecular composition. This research offers valuable insights for enhancing the prediction and regulation of microbial activities and carbon flow in anaerobic environments. Video Abstract

Single-phase CrCoNi-based medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) have garnered considerable attention as a promising class of metallic materials. However, despite this growing interest, the dynamic mechanical response of CrCoNi-based MEAs at high strain rate remains controversial. The dynamic shear mechanical behavior of CoCrNiSi0.3 was characterized through Hopkinson-bar experiment utilizing hat-shaped specimen. In this study, a damage model based on the maximum shear strain of each slip system was chosen to describe the damage initiation and evolution. Combined with this micro-scale damage and dislocation density-based crystal plasticity theory, two constitutive models were proposed to perform predictions of the dynamic shear behavior of CoCrNiSi0.3. The strain rate effect, adiabatic temperature rising, damage evolution, and twin volume fraction during dynamic shear deformation were tracked by investigating the influence of resolved shear stress, dislocation density, texture evolution, and twinning systems shear strain. The presented model effectively predicts the deformation state of specimen, the formation and evolution of Adiabatic Shear Bands (ASBs), and the variations in strain rate and temperature at different locations within the shear region. Adiabatic Shear Bands and texture evolution are caused by the local dislocation density rising and misorientation distributions.

Abstract Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a cost effective and efficient method for recovering residual oil. However, the presence of wax (paraffin) in residual oil can substantially reduce the efficiency of MEOR. Therefore, microbial dewaxing is a critical process in MEOR. In this study, a bacterial dewaxing agent of three spore-forming bacteria was developed. Among these bacteria, Bacillus subtilis GZ6 produced the biosurfactant surfactin. Replacing the promoter of the surfactin synthase gene cluster (srfA), increased the titer of surfactin in this strain from 0.33 g/L to 2.32 g/L. The genetically modified strain produced oil spreading rings with diameters increasing from 3.5 ± 0.1 to 4.1 ± 0.2 cm. The LadA F10L/N133R mutant was created by engineering an alkane monooxygenase (LadA) using site-directed mutagenesis in the Escherichia coli host. Compared to the wild-type enzyme, the resulting mutant exhibited an 11.7-fold increase in catalytic efficiency toward the substrate octadecane. When the mutant (pIMPpladA2mu) was expressed in Geobacillus stearothermophilus GZ178 cells, it exhibited a 2.0-fold increase in octadecane-degrading activity. Cultures of the two modified strains (B. subtilis GZ6 (pg3srfA) and G. stearothermophilus GZ178 (pIMPpladA2mu)) were mixed with the culture of Geobacillus thermodenitrificans GZ156 at a ratio of 5:80:15. The resulting composition increased the rate of wax removal by 35% compared to the composition composed of three native strains. This study successfully developed a multi-strain bacterial agent with enhanced oil wax removal capabilities by genetically engineering two bacterial strains.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to compare the wear properties of UHMWPE acetabular liners after undergoing 3 million (3 Mc) and 5 million (5 Mc) cycles of in-vitro wear testing. The results will serve as a reference for the design of in-vitro testing for hip prostheses and as a control for clinical revision removals. MethodsWear tests were conducted on three different sizes of acetabular liners (28 mm, 32 mm, and 36 mm internal diameters) using a hip simulator to determine the amount of wear after 3 and 5 million cycles. The analysis included the number, size, and shape of abrasive particles. ResultsAfter 3 and 5 million cycles of wear, the amount of wear on the acetabular liner increased as the inner diameter increased. The abrasive particles had an average equivalent circular area diameter (ECD) of 0.27 μm and 0.29 μm, and 94.4% and 90.1% of the aspect ratio (AR) less than 4. ConclusionThe amount of wear on the acetabular liner after 3 Mc wear can indicate the wear performance of the product. The number of particles increased and the percentage of fibrous particles was higher after 5 Mc wear compared to 3 Mc wear.

A Co-free non-equiatomic Ni2·5CrFeAl0·25Ti0.25 medium-entropy alloy (MEA) with an excellent strength-ductility synergy was fabricated, which shows a multiphase structure composed of face-centered cubic (FCC), L12 (ordered FCC), and Cr-rich body-centered cubic (BCC) phase by thermomechanical processing. Specifically, the aged sample displays the outstanding yield tensile strength (YTS, ∼1188 MPa), ultimate tensile strength (UTS, ∼1560 MPa) and work-hardening rate (WHR, ∼4.5 GPa) values as well as an acceptable plasticity of ∼16.6%. Theoretical calculations suggest that precipitation strengthening significantly contributes to achieving the fascinating tensile strength among various strengthening contributors. Further analyses reveal that multiple nanoscale stacking-fault (SF) networks are activated during plastic deformation in the aged alloy. Accordingly, the dual effects consisting of the hierarchical precipitation structure and SF networks lead to the combination of excellent tensile strength and strain-hardening capacity.

Abstract The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a novel marker of insulin resistance that has been strongly associated with many diseases related to metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and stroke. However, whether the TyG index is associated with the prevalence of gallstones has not been determined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the TyG index and the prevalence of gallstones in American adults, as well as the age at which adults in America undergo their first gallstone surgery. We selected individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2017 to March 2020. Based on the goal of our study, comprehensive inclusion and exclusion criteria were created. A logistic regression analysis, dose–response curve, and subgroup analysis were computed to assess the relationship between the TyG index and gallstone prevalence and age at first surgery for gallstone. A total of 3905 participants aged > 20 years were included in our study, of whom 421 had a self-reported history of gallstones. A total of 1884 (48.2%) males and 2021 (51.8%) females were included. After confounders adjustment, it was found single-unit increases in the TyG index were linked with a 25.0% increase in gallstone prevalence (odds ratio [OR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.04, 1.51). After conversion of the TyG index values from continuous to categorical variables with tertiles, a marked 48% increase in gallstone incidence was found in tertile 3 relative to tertile 1 (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.99). The dose–response curve results indicated positive associations between gallstone prevalence and the TyG index, while the latter was negatively associated with age at first gallstone surgery. Based on subgroup analysis, the positive association between TyG index and high-incidence of gallstones was more significant in females (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.77), age

Abstract Background Guillain‒Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory peripheral neuropathy caused by autoimmunity. Gangliosides and sulfatides are important components of peripheral nerves. Anti-sulfatide antibody-mediated complement is associated with acute sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy in GBS, which is characterized by pain and paresthesias. Case presentation The child was a 7-year-old girl with headache and abdominal pain, followed by limb numbness and pain. Cranial imaging showed ventricular dilatation, peripheral nerve function conduction examination showed polyradiculopathy, and cerebrospinal fluid tests showed normal cell counts but elevated protein levels, all of which led to the diagnosis of GBS. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (400 mg/kg × 5 days), the symptoms did not improve, and muscle strength progressively worsened, accompanied by paroxysmal complexion flushing, heart rate fluctuation, hyperhidrosis, and a progressive increase in cerebrospinal fluid protein (up to 3780.1 mg/L). On the basis of these findings combined with serum anti-sulfatide IgM positivity, anti-sulfatide antibody-related GBS was considered, and treatment with low-dose prednisolone (1 mg/kg/d) led to symptom improvement. Conclusions Anti-sulfatide antibody-associated GBS is associated with small fiber peripheral neuropathy. The main manifestations are pain, paresthesias and autonomic dysfunction. In addition to the dysfunction of spinal nerve root absorption caused by increased cerebrospinal fluid protein, autonomic dysfunction may be involved in pain. When the therapeutic effect of immunoglobulin is not satisfactory, a low dose and short course of corticosteroids can be considered, and the prognosis is good.

In recent years, some components and active ingredients from the herbal formula “eight famous herbals in Zhejiang” (Zhe-Ba-Wei) have been reported to possess antitumor properties. However, there is still no systemic study on the role and mechanism of Zhe-Ba-Wei in cancer. To systematically investigate the anticancer efficacy of Zhe-Ba-Wei, we first identified 17 reported active ingredients with gene targets associated with various types of tumors. Second, we screened these active ingredients and their responding multiple shared targets by analyzing the convergence of diverse and tumor-specific target sites and identified four crucial active ingredients (ferulic acid, quercetin, rutin, luteolin), which were characterized by 27 overlapping gene targets. Third, these 27 gene targets were subsequently mapped onto the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology term, and among the 27 total potential targets, 12 were involved in plasma membrane function. Fourth, we investigated the binding affinities between the four crucial active ingredients and their potential targets such as EGFR and MET, both of which are well-known oncogenes in various cancers. Subsequently, an investigation of the computational ADMET properties showed that most of these four ingredients exhibited good ADMET properties. Finally, we found that three active ingredients (ferulic acid, luteolin, and quercetin) could inhibit the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cells and decrease the protein expression of EGFR in a concentration-dependent manner. All these results shed light on the bioactive components, pharmacological effects, and drug development and utilization of Zhe-Ba-Wei, aiming to provide useful support for its further research and clinical application.

Introduction Late-life depression (LLD) is a global public health issue, often accompanied by cognitive impairments that can exacerbate the severity of depression and impair social functioning. Despite being a well-established treatment for LLD, the suitability of problem-solving therapy (PST) for individuals with LLD and varying degrees of cognitive impairments warrants further investigation. This paper presents the protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and acceptability of PST for this specific demographic.Methods/analysis Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we will conduct a systematic review to synthesise existing research on PST for individuals in this demographic. We will comprehensively search multiple databases and sources, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database and APA PsycNET from inception to October 2023, without language, publication year or type restrictions. Relevant studies will be manually screened from the references. Only RCTs involving PST for LLD will be included. The primary efficacy outcome will be the standardised mean difference in total scores on continuous depression severity scales across different comparison arms. Data extraction will be conducted independently by two reviewers (CH and J-JW), and methodological rigour will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be performed to investigate the impact of concomitant cognitive impairments and to evaluate the robustness of the findings.Ethics and dissemination The meta-analysis project is expected to be ethically unproblematic and does not require approval from a research ethics committee. The results of this study will be shared through articles in scholarly peer-reviewed journals and presentations in various formats, both print and digital.PROSPERO registration number CRD42023473782

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate the association between triglyceride glucose-waist height ratio (TyG-WHtR) index and the prevalence of gallstone disease (GSD), alongside the age at first gallstone surgery among adult populations within the United States.MethodsWe screened participants using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Logistic regression analysis, generalized additive modeling, smoothed curve fitting, and subgroup analysis were employed to assess the association between the TyG-WHtR index, prevalence of GSD, and the age at initial gallstone surgical intervention.ResultsIn this study, 3,728 participants were enrolled, among whom 395 individuals reported a prior history of GSD. The association between the TyG-WHtR index and the prevalence of GSD demonstrated a non-linear, positive association. After adjusting for all potential confounders, for each incremental unit rise in the TyG-WHtR index, there was a 47% escalation in the prevalence of GSD (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.68). Subgroup analyses indicated a more pronounced association between the TyG-WHtR index and the prevalence of GSD among individuals aged 20–80 years, females, non-Hispanic white population, non-Hispanic black population, other racial groups, and non-diabetic cohorts. Additionally, this study identified that the TyG-WHtR index may be negatively correlated with age at first surgical treatment of gallstones.ConclusionAn elevated TyG-WHtR index demonstrates a positive association with the prevalence of GSD. However, more prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

Microbial functional composition is important for biogeochemical cycles, and is usually constrained by taxonomic species pool and natural environmental gradients. However, the distribution of functional genes in deep lakes and the driving factors remains elusive. Here, we quantified the abundance of 71 functional genes relevant to carbon degradation, carbon fixation, methane metabolism, nitrogen cycling, phosphorus cycling, and sulfur cycling in 38 sediments along the water depth ranging from 0 to 90 m in Lugu Lake, China, using Quantitative Microbial Ecology Chip (QMEC) and then explored their water-depth diversity pattern and abiotic and biotic drivers. Functional gene diversity showed a hump-shaped pattern along the depth and peaked at around 50 m which is the low boundary of thermocline layer. There were specific environmental preferences among functional gene subgroups such as nitrogen and sulfur cycling genes preferring to deeper and shallow waters, respectively. The dissimilarity of total functional genes increased with water depth distance indicating a distance-decay relationship. There was a congruence between functional and taxonomic composition by showing the positive correlations between the compositions of functional genes and bacteria or archaea. This phenomenon is consistently observed for the six functional gene subgroups, and the congruence strength was highest for nitrogen cycling while lowest for sulfur cycling. Compared to abiotic factors, biotic factors were more relevant to the functional gene diversity and composition. Biotic factors explained 28.5 % of the variance of functional gene diversity, while water depth and other environmental factors such as water total phosphorus and sediment carbon explained 4.2 % and 3.8 %, respectively. For functional gene composition, biotic factors accounted for 25.2 % of the variance, whereas water depth and other environmental factors contributed to 0.7 % and 4.4 %, respectively. Among all explanatory variables for function genes, bacterial composition had the highest contribution, which was further supported by showing its direct effects of 1.45 and 0.86 on functional diversity and composition, respectively. This study for the first time quantified the microbial functional genes along water depth in deep lakes and provided a more comprehensive understanding of the functional dynamics in microbial communities within aquatic ecosystems.

BackgroundAlthough depression symptoms are commonly reported in patients with subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI), their impact on brain functions remains largely unknown, with diagnoses mainly dependent on behavioral assessments.MethodsIn this study, we analyzed resting-state fMRI data from a cohort of 34 svMCI patients, comprising 18 patients with depression symptoms (svMCI+D) and 16 patients without (svMCI-D), along with 34 normal controls (NC). The study used the fraction of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), resting-state functional connectivity, correlation analyses, and support vector machine (SVM) techniques.ResultsThe fALFF of the right cerebellum (CERE.R) differed among the svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC groups. Specifically, the regional mean fALFF of CERE. R was lower in svMCI-D patients compared to NC but higher in svMCI+D patients compared to svMCI-D patients. Moreover, the adjusted fALFF of CERE. R showed a significant correlation with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scores in svMCI-D patients. The fALFF of the right orbital part of the superior frontal gyrus was significantly correlated with Hamilton Depression Scale scores in svMCI+D patients, whereas the fALFF of the right postcingulate cortex (PCC.R) showed a significant correlation with MOCA scores in svMCI-D patients. Furthermore, RSFC between PCC. R and right precuneus, as well as between CERE. R and the right lingual gyrus (LING.R), was significantly reduced in svMCI-D patients compared to NC. In regional analyses, the adjusted RSFC between PCC. R and PreCUN. R, as well as between CERE. R and LING. R, was decreased in svMCI-D patients compared to NC but increased in svMCI+D patients compared to svMCI-D. Further SVM analyses achieved good performances, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 for classifying svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC; 0.96 for classifying svMCI+D and svMCI-D; 0.82 for classifying svMCI+D and NC; and 0.92 for classifying svMCI-D and NC.ConclusionThe study revealed disruptive effects of cognitive impairment, along with both disruptive and complementary effects of depression symptoms on spontaneous brain activity in svMCI. Moreover, these findings suggest that the identified features might serve as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC, thereby guiding clinical treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation for svMCI.

Previous studies demonstrated that EV71-infected cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs), facilitating the transfer of viral components to recipient cells and thereby promoting virus spread. Considering lipid signaling plays a crucial role in EVs-mediated cell-to-cell communication, we compared the lipid profile of EVs secreted from uninfected and EV71-infected cells (EVs-Mock and EVs-EV71) using the human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell model. These two groups of EVs were purified by using size exclusion chromatography (SEC), respectively, and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking technology (NTA), and Western blotting (WB). In-depth lipidomic analysis of EVs identified 1705 lipid molecules belonging to 43 lipid classes. The data showed a significant increase in the lipid content of EVs after EV71 infection. Meanwhile, we deeply analyzed the changes in lipids and screened for lipid molecules with significant differences compared EVs-EV71 with EVs-Mock EVs. Altogether, we report the alterations in the lipid profile of EVs derived from RD-cells after EV71 infection, which may affect the function of the EVs in the recipient cells.

BackgroundBenign tumors of the spleen are rare compared to those of other parenchymal organs, accounting for less than 0.007% of all tumors, and are often found incidentally. Splenolymphangiomas are much rarer, commonly occur in children, and tend to have multiple foci. Splenic lymphangiomas are rare in adults, and fewer than 20 adult patients with isolated splenic lymphangiomas have been reported. In this article, we report the case of a middle-aged female patient with isolated splenic lymphangioma who underwent laparoscopic anatomical hypophysectomy of the lower pole of the spleen. We also summarize the existing literature on splenic lymphangioma diagnosis and available treatment options.Case presentationA 58-year-old middle-aged woman was found to have a mass approximately 60 mm in diameter at the lower pole of the spleen during a health checkup that was not accompanied by other symptoms or examination abnormalities. After completing a preoperative examination with no contraindications to surgery, the patient underwent laparoscopic anatomical splenectomy of the lower extremity of the spleen. The patient recovered well without complications and was discharged from the hospital on the 7th postoperative day. Histopathological and immunohistochemical results confirmed the diagnosis of splenic lymphangioma. Prompt surgical intervention is safe and necessary when splenic lymphangiomas are large or associated with a risk of bleeding.ConclusionSplenic lymphangiomas are rare and require early surgical intervention in patients with large tumor diameters or those at risk of rupture and bleeding. After rigorous preoperative evaluation and preparation, laparoscopic anatomical partial splenectomy is safe and feasible for surgeons with experience in laparoscopic surgery.

Mangrove forests serve as significant carbon sinks and play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. Currently, the response of mangroves to intensified climate change and human activities, and the factors that influence the magnitude of carbon storage in their sediments remain uncertain. To address these questions, two sediment cores were collected from the mangrove reserve in Pearl Bay, Guangxi, China. The activity of 210Pb in the sediment, grain size, bulk elemental composition, stable carbon isotopes, lignin, and different sediment organic matter (OM) fractions were investigated to determine the local mangrove’s response to climate change and human activities, as well as the factors influencing its carbon storage. The results showed mangrove forests with lower tidal ranges, slower sedimentation rates, and where OM predominantly originated locally tend to have larger carbon stocks. The mangrove OM (MOM) decreased progressively from the bottom to the top of the cores, indicating that the mangroves in Pearl Bay have possibly undergone degradation, which was further substantiated by the decrease in lignin content. Based on these results, the entire cores were divided into two stages: stable stage 1 (1963–2001) and degradation stage 2 (2001–2020). The cause of the mangrove degradation is likely due to the impact of human activities; however, these impacts are anticipated to gradually lessen in the future due to mangrove protection policies. Our results indicate that lignin can track and predict mangrove growth trends and provide guidance for the sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems.

Aquatic microbes, which are highly diverse in freshwater biofilms, play a vital role in shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Nevertheless, the influence of environmental factors on aquatic microbes in different biogeographic ecosystems, especially in tropical mountains, is relatively unexplored. Here, we examined the relative influence of climate and physicochemical factors on beta diversity of stream bacteria and fungi using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing at 40 sites on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Towards larger elevational distance, the total beta diversity and turnover of bacteria and fungi increased significantly, while nestedness decreased. The beta diversity of fungi showed greater spatial variation than that of bacteria, while the local contribution to beta diversity (LCBD) showed U-shaped elevational pattern for both taxa. Bacteria and fungi had strong positive relationships regarding the total beta diversity, LCBD and their components, except for nestedness, indicating similar environmental preferences and resource overlap. Among environmental variables, mean annual temperature, water depth and elevation predicted microbial beta diversity, while water depth, mean annual temperature and precipitation primarily affected LCBD. Overall, climate-related variables were the dominant factors for beta diversity and their effects were more pronounced for fungi than bacteria. The contrasting patterns of bacterial and fungal beta diversity and their ecological interactions in tropical aquatic ecosystems provide a rare dataset for assessing ecological functions in understudied aquatic ecosystems and predicting the impact of global change on microorganisms.

The “Indica to Japonica” initiative in China focuses on adapting Japonica rice varieties from the northeast to the unique photoperiod and temperature conditions of lower latitudes. While breeders can select varieties for their adaptability, the sensitivity to light and temperature often complicates and prolongs the process. Addressing the challenge of cultivating high-yield, superior-quality Japonica rice over expanded latitudinal ranges swiftly, in the face of these sensitivities, is critical. Our approach harnesses the CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the EHD1 gene in the premium northeastern Japonica cultivars Jiyuanxiang 1 and Yinongxiang 12, which are distinguished by their exceptional grain quality—increased head rice rates, gel consistency, and reduced chalkiness and amylose content. Field trials showed that these new ehd1 mutants not only surpass the wild types in yield when grown at low latitudes but also retain the desirable traits of their progenitors. Additionally, we found that disabling Ehd1 boosts the activity of Hd3a and RFT1, postponing flowering by approximately one month in the ehd1 mutants. This research presents a viable strategy for the accelerated breeding of elite northeastern Japonica rice by integrating genomic insights with gene-editing techniques suitable for low-latitude cultivation.

Abstract Background Adequate cough or exsufflation flow can indicate an option for safe tracheostomy decannulation to noninvasive management. Cough peak flow via the upper airways with the tube capped is an outcome predictor for decannulation readiness in patients with neuromuscular impairment. However, this threshold value is typically measured with tracheotomy tube removed, which is not acceptable culturally in China. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of using cough flow measured with tracheostomy tube and speaking valve (CFSV) > 100 L/min as a cutoff value for decannulation. Study design Prospective observational study conducted between January 2019 and September 2022 in a tertiary rehabilitation hospital. Methods Patients with prolonged tracheostomy tube placement were referred for screening. Each patient was assessed using a standardized tracheostomy decannulation protocol, in which CFSV greater than 100 L/min indicated that the patients’ cough ability was sufficient for decannulation. Patients whose CFSV matched the threshold value and other protocol criteria were decannulated, and the reintubation and mortality rates were followed-up for 6 months. Results A total of 218 patients were screened and 193 patients were included. A total of 105 patients underwent decannulation, 103 patients were decannulated successfully, and 2 patients decannulated failure, required reinsertion of the tracheostomy tube within 48 h (failure rate 1.9%). Three patients required reinsertion or translaryngeal intubation within 6 months. Conclusions CFSV greater than 100 L/min could be a reliable threshold value for successful decannulation in patients with various primary diseases with a tracheostomy tube. Trial registration This observational study was not registered online.

ABSTRACT: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a classic first-line treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). An increasing number of studies regarding the use of ATO in tumor treatment have shown consistently remarkable results. In this study, subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) was used as a model virus, and different doses of ATO were used to treat ALV-J-positive chickens. Sexually mature green-shelled laying hens from the same ALV-J-positive offspring were grouped and treated with one of 3 different doses of ATO. The anti-inflammatory effects of different doses of ATO in ALV-J-positive chickens and their mechanisms were investigated by analyzing levels of inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant parameters and apoptosis-related genes. The results showed that ATO administration mitigated ALV-induced lymphoid leukosis in the liver. ATO inhibited the activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and downregulated the expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. The SOD and GSH-Px activities were also increased, and the MDA content was decreased in the serum of ALV-J-positive chickens treated with different doses of ATO, so the antioxidant capacity of ALV-J-positive chickens was improved. The mRNA expression levels of p53, p21 and Bcl-2 in the livers of ALV-J-positive chickens treated with different doses of ATO were significantly downregulated, which induced the apoptosis of tumor cells and slowed the inflammatory response. The combined analysis revealed that the therapeutic effect of 2 mg/kg/dose ATO was superior to that of the other 2 treatments (0.5 and 1 mg/kg/dose ATO). In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory effect of ATO can effectively alleviate the ALV-J pathogenic process. ALV-J serves as a model virus for antiviral tumor research, while ATO provides references for the treatment of such tumors.

Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a primary histological type of esophageal carcinoma with high morbidity. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like (ARNTL) is a circadian clock gene associated with the progression of multiple tumors. However, its roles and mechanisms in ESCC remain unknown.Methods ARNTL expression was analyzed using TCGA database and detected using qRT-PCR, and ARNTL-related pathways were analyzed through GSEA. Cell functional behaviors were assessed in vitro by measuring cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. Cell growth in the murine model was investigated through xenograft model and immunofluorescence assays of PCNA and Ki67. The downstream targets of ARNTL were analyzed through sequencing and identified via luciferase report, ChIP, and RNA pull-down analyses. Dual-specificity protein phosphatase-1 (DUSP1) expression was analyzed using GEO datasets and measured using qRT-PCR and western blotting. Protein expression was examined via western blotting.Results ARNTL expression was decreased in esophageal carcinoma and associated with histological types, and elevated expression of ARNTL repressed ESCC cell viability and proliferation and facilitated cell apoptosis. ARNTL upregulation reduced tumor cell growth in murine models and decreased PCNA and Ki67 levels. Furthermore, DUSP1 was downregulated upon ARNTL silencing in ESCC. ARNTL could bind and positively regulate DUSP1 transcription. Additionally, DUSP1 silencing reversed the influences of ARNTL upregulation on cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis in ESCC cells. ARNTL attenuated the activation of the ERK signaling by decreasing ERK phosphorylation through upregulation of DUSP1.Conclusion ARNTL hinders cell growth and contributes to cell apoptosis by inactivating ERK signaling through transcriptional upregulation of DUSP1 in ESCC.

In field hydraulic fracturing operation of shale gas development, the high pressure and large displacement liquid-particle two-phase fracturing fluid can be forced to change direction many times through high-pressure double-elbow, and be transported from the outlet pipeline of the fracturing pump to the main pipeline. The high-pressure double-elbow is prone to be affected by erosion wear and Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI), resulting in perforation and fracture, posing a potential safety threat to field operation. In this study, we conducted the erosion wear experiments on 35CrMo steel used for high-pressure double-elbow in shale-gas fracturing. The erosion rates under different impact angles and flow velocities were obtained, and proposed a novel model of erosion prediction for high-pressure double-elbow. Then the numerical investigation was employed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of erosion wear, structural stress and deformation by the coupling of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The effects of structural parameters such as connection straight pipe length, pipe inner diameter and fluid turning direction were discussed. The results indicate that with the increase of connection straight pipe length, the flow erosion decreases first then varies little, and the deformation gradually increases. Slight erosion wear but large structural stress and deformation in major inner diameter pipe. And the minimum degree of erosion and flow-induced deformation present with the fluid turning direction of double-elbow as 0°. The study can provide references for the design, installation and detection of high-pressure double-elbow and ensure safety in the process of shale gas fracturing.

BackgroundToxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are rare, life-threatening immunologic reactions. Previous relevant literature has provided limited information regarding this disease’s genetic susceptibility and management principles.ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe a phenobarbital-induced TEN case report with HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-B*58:01 negative, CYP2C19*1/*2. In addition, we revised the existing literature on phenobarbital-induced SJS/TEN to explore its clinical characteristics.MethodsWe describe a woman undergoing treatment with Phenobarbital for status epilepticus who developed classic cutaneous findings of TEN. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Medline, WanFang, and CNKI databases from 1995 to 2023. The search terms used were “Stevens-Johnson Syndrome,” “Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis,” and “Phenobarbital.”ResultsWe report a case of TEN resulting from phenobarbital; it tested negative for the HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-B*58:01 allele and CYP2C19*1/*2 intermediate metabolism. Supportive treatment with steroids and antihistamines resulted in complete resolution of the skin lesions and improvement in clinical symptoms after 14 days. Physicians and clinical pharmacists should be aware of these potential phenobarbital-related adverse events and closely monitor patients with first-time use of phenobarbital. Among 19 cases were identified in the literature, with 11 (57.9%) cases of SJS, 6 (31.6%) cases of TEN, and 2 (7.2%) cases of SJS-TEN/DRESS overlap. A total of 5 (26.3%) did not survive, of which 4 (21.1%) were under 12 years old and 1 (5.3%) was over 12 years old.ConclusionPhenobarbital-induced SJS/TEN may still occur in patients who test negative for HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-B*58:01, CYP2C19*1/*2. Most cutaneous adverse events occur early in the course of Phenobarbital therapy and should be closely monitored early in the course of treatment. In addition, Phenobarbital should be used with caution in patients with a history of asthma and allergy to antipyretics and analgesics.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most prevalent type of cancer in the whole world. Cuproptosis is discovered as a programmed cell death pathway and connected to cells' growth and death, as well as tumorigenesis. The relationship between cuproptosis and GC is still elusive. Two aspects of this study will elaborate the relationship between cuproptosis and immunotherapy as well as biomarkers in GC. Notably, the herein review is intended to highlight what has been accomplished regarding the cuproptosis for the diagnosis, immunotherapy, and prognosis in GC. The aim of this study is to offer a potential directions and the strategies for future research regarding cuproptosis inside the GC.

The CrCoNiSi0.3 MEA exhibits excellent cryogenic mechanical properties upon both quasi-static and dynamic tension. Under quasi-static tension at cryogenic temperature, the engineering yield and ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) reach 980 MPa and 1800 MPa, respectively, with notable ductility (62 %). The product of UTS and total elongation (TE) is 111.6 GPa %, surpassing most cryogenic high strength-ductility alloys. The significant mechanical strength enhancement is attributed to the denser deformation twins (DTs), multiple twinning, and extensive face-centered-cubic to hexagonal-close-packed (HCP) phase transitions, resulting in a high work hardening capacity. Upon dynamic tension at cryogenic temperature, the strength and strain hardening are further improved, which originates from the thickening DTs and HCP sequence and localized plastic deformation. The effects of temperature and strain rate on phase transition are studied. It is proposed that there is a competing relationship between high strain rate and increased stacking fault energy (SFE) due to temperature rise. The coupling effect of cryogenic temperature and high strain rate inhibits phase transition due to the deformation inhomogeneity in CrCoNiSi0.3 MEA. The findings make a valuable contribution to understand the influence of temperature and strain rate on the mechanism of FCC-to-HCP phase transition.

Ferroptosis is a lipid peroxidation-driven and iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, which is involved in a variety of physical processes and multiple diseases. Numerous reports have demonstrated that ferroptosis is closely related to the pathophysiological processes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection and is characterized by the accumulation of excess lipid peroxides on the cell membrane. In this study, the various functions of ferroptosis, and the therapeutic strategies and diagnostic biomarkers of tuberculosis, were summarized. Notably, this review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms and functions of M. tuberculosis-induced ferroptosis, suggesting potential future therapeutic and diagnostic markers for tuberculosis.

ObjectiveThis study investigated the link between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis in American adults.MethodsInformation for 6495 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2020.03 was used for this cross-sectional study. The link between TG/HDL-C ratios and NAFLD and liver fibrosis was assessed by multiple linear regression before evaluating nonlinear correlations based on smoothed curve fitting models. Stratification analysis was then applied to confirm whether the dependent and independent variables displayed a stable association across populations.ResultsTG/HDL-C ratios were positively correlated with NAFLD, with higher ratios being linked to increased prevalence of NAFLD. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratios (OR) for NAFLD patients in the fourth TG/HDL-C quartile were 3.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.94–4.38) (P for trend < 0.001) in comparison with those in the first quartile after adjusting for clinical variables. However, no statistical significance was noted for the ratio for liver fibrosis after adjusting for potential confounders (P for trend = 0.07). A nonlinear correlation between TG/HDL-C ratios and NAFLD was observed based on smoothed curve fitting models. However, a nonlinear relationship between the ratios and liver fibrosis was not established. In subgroup analyses, there was an interaction between smoking status and TG/HDL-C ratio in relation to the prevalence of liver fibrosis (P for interaction < 0.001).ConclusionsAmong American adults, the TG/HDL-C ratio was noted to be nonlinearly positively associated with the prevalence of NAFLD; however, this relationship was not present in liver fibrosis.

Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP) is an extremely rare disease with an unclear pathogenesis and risk factors. The clinical manifestations of IMP are mostly non-specific, mainly consisting of digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. The diagnosis of IMP mainly relies on abdominal computed tomography (CT) and colonoscopy. Pathological changes associated with IMP often involve fibrous degeneration of the venous wall, which results in the thickening of the colonic wall and longitudinal calcification of the mesenteric arteries. Currently, there is no standard treatment protocol for IMP, and nonsurgical treatment is the mainstay of most medical centers. In this study, we reported a case of a 55-year-old female patient with IMP whose main clinical presentation was recurrent abdominal pain. The patient’s initial diagnosis was considered an incomplete intestinal obstruction and received non-surgical treatments; however, the efficacy of the treatment was unsatisfactory. After completing abdominal CT and colonoscopy, we excluded common diseases of the digestive system (e.g., tumors, Crohn’s disease), and finally considered that this patient had a high likelihood of IMP. This patient eventually underwent laparoscopic enlarged right hemicolectomy due to recurrent symptoms and poor outcomes of non-surgical treatment. Postoperative pathological results confirmed the diagnosis of IMP. During the follow-up period, the patient recovered well without recurrence of IMP. Furthermore, we have reviewed the literature related to IMP and summarized the etiology, risk factors, diagnostic methods, treatment options and prognosis of IMP.

BackgroundThe onset and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS), with the results of recent observational studies supporting a potential link between renal failure and MetS. The causal nature of this relationship, however, remains uncertain. This study thus leveraged a Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach to probe the causal link of MetS with renal failure.MethodsA genetic database was initially used to identify SNPs associated with MetS and components thereof, after which causality was evaluated through the inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, and weighted media techniques. Results were subsequently validated through sensitivity analyses.ResultsIVW (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.21–1.82, P =1.60E−04) and weighted median (OR = 1.58, 95% CI =1.15–2.17, P = 4.64E-03) analyses revealed that MetS was linked to an elevated risk of renal failure. When evaluating the specific components of MetS, waist circumference was found to be causally related to renal failure using the IVW (OR= 1.58, 95% CI = 1.39–1.81, P = 1.74e-11), MR-Egger (OR= 1.54, 95% CI = 1.03–2.29, P = 0.036), and weighted median (OR= 1.82, 95% CI = 1.48–2.24, P = 1.17e-8). The IVW method also revealed a causal association of hypertension with renal failure (OR= 1.95, 95% CI = 1.34–2.86, P = 5.42e-04), while renal failure was not causally related to fasting blood glucose, triglyceride levels, or HDL-C levels.ConclusionThese data offer further support for the existence of a causal association of MetS with kidney failure. It is thus vital that MetS be effectively managed in patients with CKD in clinical settings, particularly for patients with hypertension or a high waist circumference who are obese. Adequate interventions in these patient populations have the potential to prevent or delay the development of renal failure.

Abstract Unravelling biosphere feedback mechanisms is crucial for predicting the impacts of global warming. Soil priming, an effect of fresh plant-derived carbon (C) on native soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition, is a key feedback mechanism that could release large amounts of soil C into the atmosphere. However, the impacts of climate warming on soil priming remain elusive. Here, we show that experimental warming accelerates soil priming by 12.7% in a temperate grassland. Warming alters bacterial communities, with 38% of unique active phylotypes detected under warming. The functional genes essential for soil C decomposition are also stimulated, which could be linked to priming effects. We incorporate lab-derived information into an ecosystem model showing that model parameter uncertainty can be reduced by 32–37%. Model simulations from 2010 to 2016 indicate an increase in soil C decomposition under warming, with a 9.1% rise in priming-induced CO2 emissions. If our findings can be generalized to other ecosystems over an extended period of time, soil priming could play an important role in terrestrial C cycle feedbacks and climate change.

Abstract Background Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is known for abnormal lipid metabolism and widespread activation of HIF-2α. Recently, the importance of autophagy in ccRCC has been focused, and it has potential connections with HIF-2α and lipid metabolism. However, the specific regulatory mechanism between HIF-2α, autophagy, and lipid metabolism in ccRCC is still unclear. Methods In this study, Bioinformatics Analysis and Sequencing of the whole transcriptome were used to screen our target. The expression of TBC1D5 in renal clear cell carcinoma was confirmed by database analysis, immunohistochemistry, PCR and Western blot. The effects of TBC1D5 on tumor cell growth, migration, invasion and lipid metabolism were examined by CCK8, Transwell and oil red staining, and the mechanism of TBC1D5 on autophagy was investigated by Western blot, fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy. Chloroquine and rapamycin were used to verified the key role of autophagy in effects of TBC1D5 on tumor cell. The regulatory mechanism of TBC1D5 in renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC) was investigated by shhif-2α, shTBC1D5, mimic, inhibitor, ChIP and Luciferase experiments. The animal model of ccRCC was used to evaluate the biological function of TBC1D5 in vivo. Results In this study, TBC1D5 was found to be an important bridge between autophagy and HIF-2α. Specifically, TBC1D5 is significantly underexpressed in ccRCC, serving as a tumor suppressor which inhibits tumor progression and lipid accumulation, and is negatively regulated by HIF-2α. Further research has found that TBC1D5 regulates the autophagy pathway to reverse the biological function of HIF-2α in ccRCC. Mechanism studies have shown that HIF-2α regulates TBC1D5 through hsa-miR-7-5p in ccRCC, thereby affecting tumor progression and lipid metabolism through autophagy. Conclusions Our research reveals a completely new pathway, HIF-2α/hsa-miR-7-5p/TBC1D5 pathway affects ccRCC progression and lipid metabolism by regulating autophagy. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Controlling the formation of clathrate hydrates is crucial for advancing hydrate-based technologies. However, the microscopic mechanism underlying clathrate hydrate formation through nucleation remains poorly elucidated. Specifically, the critical nucleus, theorized as a pivotal step in nucleation, lacks empirical validation. Here, we report uniform nanoparticles, e.g., graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and gold or silver nanocubes with controlled sizes, as nanoprobes to experimentally measure the size of the critical nucleus of tetrahydrofuran (THF) clathrate hydrate formation. The capability of the nanoparticles in facilitating THF clathrate hydrate nucleation displays generally an abrupt change at a nanoparticle-size-determined specific supercooling. It is revealed that the free-energy barrier shows an abrupt change when the nanoparticles have an approximately the same size as that of the critical nucleus. Thus, it is inferred that THF clathrate hydrate nucleation involves the creation of a critical nucleus with its size being inversely proportional to the supercooling. By proving the existence and determining the supercooling-dependent size of the critical nucleus of the THF clathrate hydrates, this work brings insights in the microscopic pictures of the clathrate hydrate nucleation.

Abstract The diversity of intrinsic traits of different organic matter molecules makes it challenging to predict how they, and therefore the global carbon cycle, will respond to climate change. Here we develop an indicator of compositional-level environmental response for dissolved organic matter to quantify the aggregated response of individual molecules that positively and negatively associate with warming. We apply the indicator to assess the thermal response of sediment dissolved organic matter in 480 aquatic microcosms along nutrient gradients on three Eurasian mountainsides. Organic molecules consistently respond to temperature change within and across contrasting climate zones. At a compositional level, dissolved organic matter in warmer sites has a stronger thermal response and shows functional reorganization towards molecules with lower thermodynamic favorability for microbial decomposition. The thermal response is more sensitive to warming at higher nutrients, with increased sensitivity of up to 22% for each additional 1 mg L-1 of nitrogen loading. The utility of the thermal response indicator is further confirmed by laboratory experiments and reveals its positive links to greenhouse gas emissions.

To enhance the strength and toughness of metallic materials simultaneously over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates, a eutectic high-entropy FCC/Laves composite with a heterogeneous initial microstructure was fabricated by powder plasma arc additive manufacturing. The mechanical behavior of the composite over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates was tested with the aid of an electronic universal testing machine and an improved Split Hopkinson pressure bar. The high-entropy FCC/Laves composite possesses a unique combination of strength and ductility over the selected temperature and strain rate ranges due to the in situ composite nature with both soft high-entropy FCC phase and hard high-entropy Laves phase. Complicated thermal viscoplastic behavior is presented. To reveal the mechanisms of the complicated thermal viscoplastic behavior, microstructure evolution was characterized. The high-entropy Laves phase, as a kind of multi-component intermetallic, defies convention by displaying plastic deformation at room temperature and different strain rates. Superior damage tolerance of the high-entropy FCC/Laves composite can be achieved over the selected temperature and strain rate ranges with the contribution of deformation twin in FCC phase, as well as dynamic recrystallization over high temperature range. Finally, a constitutive description was developed, which is shown to be able to accurately describe the complicated plastic behavior over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates. These findings suggest promising prospects for advanced material design, opening a new avenue to achieve a fine balance between strength and ductility across different conditions.

Rapid tempering at high temperature is beneficial to release residual stress. However, the evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of ultrafine bainitic steel after rapid tempering at high temperature is still unclear. In this research, the effect of rapid tempering at high temperature on microstructure, mechanical properties and mechanical stability of retained austenite (RA) of a medium-carbon ultrafine bainitic steel were studied in detail. Results show that after a rapid tempering at 550 °C, the volume fraction of RA decreased gradually, and the carbon atoms in bainitic ferrite (BF) gradually diffused out of the lattice and finally formed carbides, and the BF plate gradually coarsened. When the tempering time is only 2 min, the carbon clusters formed, strengthening the matrix and stabilizing the RA, which result in the highest yield strength, and the highest impact toughness of the steel. With the extension of tempering time, nano-carbides precipitated and gradually grew up, and the dislocation density in steel decreased, resulting in a gradual decrease in the yield strength of the steel and the mechanical stability of RA. However, the deformation ability and strain hardening ability of the BF matrix gradually increase, so that the tensile strength of the steel gradually increases. The decomposition of RA and the formation of brittle martensite making the impact toughness of the steel gradually decrease. This study can provide theoretical support for the development of rapid tempering process of ultrafine bainitic steel.

Three MW > 7.0 earthquakes in 2020–2021 occurred in the Shumagin seismic gap and its adjacent area of the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone, including the MW7.8 Simeonof thrust earthquake on July 22, 2020, the MW7.6 Sand Point strike-slip earthquake on October 19, 2020, and the MW8.2 Chignik thrust earthquake on July 29, 2021. The spatial and temporal proximity of these three earthquakes prompts us to probe stress-triggering effects among them. Here we examine the coseismic Coulomb stress change imparted by the three earthquakes and their influence on the subduction interface. Our results show that: (1) The Simeonof earthquake has strong loading effects on the subsequent Sand Point and Chignik earthquakes, with the Coulomb stress changes of 3.95 bars and 2.89 bars, respectively. The Coulomb stress change caused by the Sand Point earthquake at the hypocenter of the Chignik earthquake is merely around 0.01 bars, suggesting the negligible triggering effect on the latter earthquake; (2) The triggering effects of the Simeonof, Sand Point, and Chignik earthquakes on aftershocks within three months are not well pronounced because of the triggering rates of 38%, 14%, and 43% respectively. Other factors may have played an important role in promoting the occurrence of these aftershocks, such as the roughness of the subduction interface, the complicated velocity structure of the lithosphere, and the heterogeneous prestress therein; (3) The three earthquakes caused remarkable coseismic Coulomb stress changes at the subduction interface nearby these mainshocks, with an average Coulomb stress change of 3.2 bars in the shallow region directly inwards the trench.

This study analyzes the impact of weather factors on the resilience of airport flight operations, focusing on flight performance, economic outcomes, and transportation capacity. A Kolmogorov–Arnold Network (KAN) model was employed to identify key weather variables and establish the relationship between these factors and airport operational resilience. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport was used as a case study, with the weights of various routes determined using grey relational analysis, considering average daily flight volume, flight distance, and airport flow stability indicators. Flight operation records and weather data were utilized to assess the influence of critical weather factors on key operational resilience metrics. The findings reveal that routes in economically developed areas exert a more pronounced effect on flow stability. Temperature and wind speed emerged as the most influential factors, with importance values of 0.35 and 0.32, respectively, about flight operations and economic performance. Furthermore, changes in wind direction and wind speed had the greatest impact on transportation capacity, with importance values of 0.7 and 0.65, respectively. These results highlight the need for special attention to weather factors such as temperature and wind speed during flight scheduling and risk assessment to ensure operational safety, efficiency, and economic viability.

The polarization direction-dependent SBS threshold was investigated, and the terminal polarization control technique was demonstrated to restore the linear polarization state. By increasing the relative angle of the injecting polarization direction from 0° to 90°, the measured SBS threshold increased until reaching a maximum value, beyond which it decreased in a nearly symmetrical trend. The highest SBS threshold was achieved with the relative polarization angle being 45°, delivering a 67% threshold enhancement compared with that at 0°. A quarter-wave-plate was used to restore the polarization state of the output laser manually from an elliptic to a linearly polarized state, and temperature-dependent polarization fluctuation was observed, which intensified as the laser power was scaled. By reducing the cooling temperature, a 1 kW laser with a linearly polarized state was demonstrated using a 45° polarization direction-injected monolithic PM amplifier.

CD36 is a scavenger receptor that has been reported to function as a signaling receptor that responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and could integrate metabolic pathways and cell signaling through its dual functions. Thereby influencing activation to regulate the immune response and immune cell differentiation. Recent studies have revealed that CD36 plays critical roles in the process of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and immune process caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. This review will comprehensively investigate CD36’s functions in lipid uptake and processing, inflammatory response, immune response and therapeutic targets and biomarkers in the infection process of M. tuberculosis. The study also raised outstanding issues in this field to designate future directions.

The Middle Jurassic Walloon Subgroup of Daandine gas field contains numerous coal seams with abundant coalbed methane (CBM) resources. However, the vertical gas content distribution of these coal seams is unclear currently, as well as its influencing factors, affecting the formulation of CBM exploration and exploitation strategy. For this purpose, using diverse geologic, experimental, and engineering data from recent exploration and development, this article ascertains the vertical coalbed gas content distribution in the Daandine gas field and discusses how the geological factors affect it. The results show that the coalbed gas contents have two basic trends as the depth increases: (1) increase, and then decrease; (2) increase. The former trend is dominant, and the inflection point occurs in the coal groups within or close to the Tangalooma Sandstone Formation. The correlation analysis shows that the macerals have little influence on the vertical coalbed gas content distribution. The moisture contents affect the adsorption capacity of coalbeds and show a negative correlation with the gas contents, and coal groups with higher moisture contents generally have lower gas contents. Three sets of independent gas-bearing systems exist in the Walloon Subgroup, and the coalbed gas content-depth relationship is relatively independent among different gas-bearing systems. The better the caprock condition, the higher the gas content, which is particularly evident in the coals of Condamine group. The permeabilities show a significant effect on the coalbed gas contents of Daandine coals. The coal groups within or close to the Tangalooma Sandstone Formation have higher permeabilities, as well as higher gas contents, and they are positively correlated. The reason is that the CBM in the study area is dominantly microbial in origin, and the higher permeability coals are conducive to the introduction of more microbial consortia into the coal seams, enhancing the generation of secondary biogenesis methane.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) assemblages in freshwater rivers are formed from mixtures of simple to complex compounds that are highly variable across time and space. These mixtures largely form due to the environmental heterogeneity of river networks and the contribution of diverse allochthonous and autochthonous DOM sources. Most studies are, however, confined to local and regional scales, which precludes an understanding of how these mixtures arise at large, e.g., continental, spatial scales. The processes contributing to these mixtures are also difficult to study because of the complex interactions between various environmental factors and DOM. Here we propose the use of machine learning (ML) approaches to identify ecological processes contributing toward mixtures of DOM at a continental-scale. We related a dataset that characterized the molecular composition of DOM from river water and sediment with Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to explanatory physicochemical variables such as nutrient concentrations and stable water isotopes (2H and 18O). Using unsupervised ML, distinctive clusters for sediment and water samples were identified, with unique molecular compositions influenced by environmental factors like terrestrial input and microbial activity. Sediment clusters showed a higher proportion of protein-like and unclassified compounds than water clusters, while water clusters exhibited a more diversified chemical composition. We then applied a supervised ML approach, involving a two-stage use of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values. In the first stage, SHAP values were obtained and used to identify key physicochemical variables. These parameters were employed to train models using both the default and subsequently tuned hyperparameters of the Histogram-based Gradient Boosting (HGB) algorithm. The supervised ML approach, using HGB and SHAP values, highlighted complex relationships between environmental factors and DOM diversity, in particular the existence of dams upstream, precipitation events, and other watershed characteristics were important in predicting higher chemical diversity in DOM. Our data-driven approach can now be used more generally to reveal the interplay between physical, chemical, and biological factors in determining the diversity of DOM in other ecosystems.

BackgroundLittoral cell angioma (LCA) is an extremely uncommon benign vascular tumor of the spleen. Cases of LCA in infants are rarely reported, and due to the rarity of the tumor and non-specific symptoms, the diagnosis of LCA is often overlooked in clinical practice.Case reportWe present a 3-year-old girl with pulmonary inflammation who was admitted to the hospital due to the discovery of a space-occupying lesion in the spleen. Pathology after splenectomy confirmed LCA, and there was no recurrence observed at the 5-month follow-up examination.ConclusionLCA should be considered when a child shows asymptomatic splenomegaly, with antigen expression indicating dual positivity of endothelial and histiocytic markers. Laparoscopic splenectomy remains the primary method of treating LCA.

BackgroundSerum creatinine (Cr) and albumin (Alb) are important predictors of mortality in individuals with various diseases, including acute pancreatitis (AP). However, most previous studies have only examined the relationship between single Cr or Alb levels and the prognosis of patients with AP. To our knowledge, the association between short- and long-term all-cause mortality in patients with AP and the blood creatinine to albumin ratio (CAR) has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term relationships between CAR and all-cause mortality in patients with AP.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study utilizing data from the Medical Information Market for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database. The study involved analyzing various mortality variables and obtaining CAR values at the time of admission. The X-tile software was used to determine the optimal threshold for the CAR. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curves and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the relationship between CAR and both short- and long-term all-cause mortality. The predictive power, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of CAR for short- and long-term mortality in patients with AP after hospital admission were investigated using Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted.ResultsA total of 520 participants were included in this study. The CAR ideal threshold, determined by X-tile software, was 0.446. The Cox proportional hazards model revealed an independent association between CAR≥0.446 and all-cause mortality at 7-day (d), 14-d, 21-d, 28-d, 90-d, and 1-year (y) before and after adjustment for confounders. K-M survival curves showed that patients with CAR≥0.446 had lower survival rates at 7-d, 14-d, 21-d, 28-d, 90-d, and 1-y. Additionally, CAR demonstrated superior performance, with higher AUC values than Cr, Alb, serum total calcium, Glasgow Coma Scale, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome score, and Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score at 7-d, 14-d, 21-d, 28-d, 90-d, and 1-y intervals. Subgroup analyses showed that CAR did not interact with a majority of subgroups.ConclusionThe CAR can serve as an independent predictor for short- and long-term all-cause mortality in patients with AP. This study enhances our understanding of the association between serum-based biomarkers and the prognosis of patients with AP.

Cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive and heterogeneous malignancy originating from the bile duct epithelium. It is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. The global incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is rising, and there is an urgent need for effective early diagnosis and treatment strategies to reduce the burden of this devastating tumor. Small extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microparticles, are nanoscale vesicles formed by membranes that are released both normally and pathologically from cells, mediating the intercellular transfer of substances and information. Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of small extracellular vesicles in numerous biological processes, as well as the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. The present review summarizes the tumorigenic roles of small extracellular vesicles in the cholangiocarcinoma microenvironment. Owing to their unique composition, accessibility, and stability in biological fluids, small extracellular vesicles have emerged as ideal biomarkers for use in liquid biopsies for diagnosing and outcome prediction of cholangiocarcinoma. Specific tissue tropism, theoretical biocompatibility, low clearance, and strong biological barrier penetration of small extracellular vesicles make them suitable drug carriers for cancer therapy. Furthermore, the potential value of small extracellular vesicle-based therapies for cholangiocarcinoma is also reviewed.

An external-cavity wavelength-swept laser, characterized by its exceptional temporal coherence and extensive tuning range, serves as a crucial light source for cutting-edge fields such as fiber sensing, lidar, and spectroscopy. The burgeoning growth of optical communication technology has escalated the demand for lasers with narrow linewidth and broad tuning range, thereby catalyzing the swift advancement of external-cavity wavelength-swept diode lasers and their diverse applications. This article comprehensively presents the configurations and operating principles of these lasers, and provides an in-depth review of their development status, specifically focusing on those with narrow linewidth and wide tuning range. The aim is to offer a valuable reference for researchers involved in the development and application of wavelength-swept lasers.

Abstract Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) is characterized by a violent cytokine storm-driven inflammation and is associated with a predisposition to severe disease. The treatment strategy for HTG-AP consists mainly of conventional symptomatic and lipid-lowering treatments. For early-stage HTG-AP, blood purification (BP) can rapidly and effectively reduce serum triglyceride and inflammatory cytokine levels, block the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and improve patient outcomes. Currently, the primary modalities for BP in patients with HTG-AP include plasma exchange, hemoperfusion, and hemofiltration. When using BP to treat patients with HTG-AP, a comprehensive analysis incorporating the elevated lipid levels and severity of the patient’s condition contributes to the selection of different treatment modes. Moreover, the timing of the treatment is also imperative. Early intervention is associated with a better prognosis for patients with HTG-AP requiring lipid-lowering treatment.

Rapid heat treatment is an important method to improve the properties of steel. Moreover, the study of the phase transformation process plays an important role in the formulation of rapid heat treatment. This paper investigates phase transformation behavior and microstructure evolution of ultrafine bainite at varying heating rates, and reveals the influence mechanism of retained austenite on austenitizing. Results showed that the decomposition of retained austenite was influenced by the diffusion of Si element. Therefore, the decomposition temperature of retained austenite is severely affected by the heating rate. Retained austenite completely transformed into cementite and ferrite when heating rate was below 5 °C/s. A small amount of retained austenite was kept when the heating rate was higher than 5 °C/s. The kept austenite effectively suppressed the hysteresis of Ac1 and resulted in a unique mechanism of austenite grain formation. When the heating rate range was 5–10 °C/s, some new austenite skipped the nucleation process and grew directly on the kept austenite, forming the large austenite grains. And other new austenite was obtained via nucleation and growth process. Thus, the grain size of bimodal distribution is formed. This leads to the phenomenon of austenite memory effect. When the heating rate was increased to 50 °C/s and higher, the austenite grain size was less than 14 μm. Therefore, rapid heating makes the phase transition lag. When the heating rate is high enough, part of the austenite is kept, which has an important influence on austenitizing process of the steel.

Abstract Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major risk factor for gastric diseases, including gastritis and gastric cancer. Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is a chaperone protein involved in various cellular processes and has been implicated in the immune response to bacterial infections. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing various protein components play important roles in cell communication. In the present study, a systematic proteomic analysis of EVs obtained from H. pylori infected cells was performed and the EV-derived HSP60 function was studied. Methods EVs were evaluated by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy and western blotting. The recognized protein components were quantified by label-free proteomics and subjected to bioinformatics assays. The expression of HSP60 in EVs, host cells and gastric cancers infected by H. pylori was determined by western blotting and immunohistochemical, respectively. In addition, the apoptotic regulation mechanisms of HSP60 in H. pylori infection were analyzed by western blotting and flow cytometry. Results A total of 120 important differential proteins were identified in the EVs from H. pylori-infected cells and subjected to Gene Ontology analysis. Among them, CD63, HSP-70 and TSG101 were verified via western blotting. Moreover, HSP60 expression was significantly increased in the EVs from H. pylori-infected GES-1 cells. H. pylori infection promoted an abnormal increase in HSP60 expression in GES-1 cells, AGS cells, gastric mucosa and gastric cancer. In addition, knockdown of HSP60 suppressed the apoptosis of infected cells and the expression of Bcl2, and promoted the upregulation of Bax. Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive proteomic profile of EVs from H. pylori-infected cells, shedding light on the potential role of HSP60 in H. pylori infection. The findings underscore the significance of EV-derived HSP60 in the pathophysiology of H. pylori-associated diseases.